Chapter 910: Chapter 904: The Blue Moon Immortal Sect
Azure Cloud Prefecture, atop the Ethereal Immortal Sect.
“Supreme Elder Pu Ci, the Sword Venerable, and the Corpse Ancestor of the Li Clan have both perished on the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems.
This is the perfect opportunity.
While the Li Clan has the Crown Prince and the Imperial Preceptor as their backers, there are many in the Imperial Court eyeing the Azure Cloud Prefecture.
The region is becoming increasingly wealthy…”
Supreme Elder Pu Ci sat cross-legged in meditation.
As he watched the envoy from the Department of Immortal Suppression depart, the gentle smile on his face gradually turned dark and gloomy.
Holding the decree of the Department of Immortal Suppression in his hand, he felt it weigh as heavy as a mountain.
“Why have you come to find this old man again? In your eyes, just what kind of person have I become?”
Supreme Elder Pu Ci’s expression was incredibly grim.
Although he had retreated behind the scenes in recent years, allowing Daoist Ming Tai to become Sect Master once again, rumors continued to circulate throughout the Azure Cloud Prefecture.
People called him “grass atop the wall”—swaying with the wind.
Everyone said that in the entire Prefecture, one could trust anyone but Supreme Elder Pu Ci.
Originally, Supreme Elder Pu Ci had viewed these rumors with disdain.
But the arrival of this decree from the Department of Immortal Suppression left him silent and filled with indignation.
“The Sword Venerable and the Corpse Ancestor perished on the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems?”
Supreme Elder Pu Ci sat back down on his prayer mat, his face expressionless.
“It seems you guys have truly underestimated that battle in the Immortal Domain.
They survived even a situation like that. The Six Great Ancestors of the Zhao Clan of the Immortal Domain had all reached the extreme peak of Void Refinement.
No matter how strong the Four Giants of the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems may be, how could they possibly surpass that?”
…
“Reporting to the Family Head: there is unusual movement in Westfall Prefecture.”
Inside the main hall of the Li family, Li Xinnian was drinking tea.
A servant entered to report, causing Li Xinnian to pause with his cup in mid-air.
He simply waved his hand, dismissing the servant.
Just at that moment, Nangong Qingya arrived, her brow furrowed.
“What is it?” Li Xinnian offered a faint smile.
Nangong Qingya took a deep breath.
“It is my family. Somehow, they heard the news that our elders perished at the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems, and they have come to our Li Clan again to demand the business of the Hall of Heavenly Principles.”
The “Hundred Treasures Pavilion” Nangong Clan was exceptionally passionate about “earning Spirit Stones” and “doing business.”
Now that their clan possessed three Divinity Transformation stage cultivators, their ambitions had grown even greater.
With the “bad news” arriving from the Department of Immortal Suppression, they had no intention of standing with the Li Clan to face the crisis following the deaths of its experts; instead, they wanted a share of the spoils.
The smile on Li Xinnian’s face gradually turned cold.
“Qingya, I have grown weary of the Nangong Clan.
Human nature truly cannot withstand testing, and the Nangong Clan can no longer be allowed to remain.
Qingya, go there personally. Since they want business, I will give them business.”
“Within three months, I want them to relocate their entire clan to Silver Moon City in the northern part of the Dynasty to trade in Spirit Ores.”
Hearing this, Nangong Qingya’s expression changed.
“The Silver Moon branch is where your cousin Xinjue is stationed. If you drive them out, they will inevitably be disgruntled. If they were to act against Xinjue…”
“My cousin Xinjue was driven to Silver Moon City by our Clan Uncle precisely for that reason.”
Li Xinnian laughed.
“The power dynamics in Silver Moon City are complex.
It is full of factions that have been mining for years—far more barbaric than our Azure Cloud Prefecture was back in the day.
If my cousin could take root and settle in a place like that, do you think he can’t keep the Nangong Clan in check?
It just so happens that my cousin can give the Nangong Clan some proper ‘guidance.’
It will give him an extra source of assistance, and the Nangong Clan will have a new avenue for their business.”
Hearing this, Nangong Qingya furrowed her brows and nodded, her expression relaxing.
“Agreed.”
As Nangong Qingya departed, Li Xinnian picked up his brush to write a letter to Li Xinjue.
Immediately after, he took a walk around the City of Merit.
Not long after, another member of the Hall of Heavenly Principles came to report.
“Reporting to the Family Head: It is a Void Refinement power.
They were driven out by a hidden faction located outside of Westfall Prefecture.
They are called the Blue Moon Immortal Sect.”
“Two Void Refinement cultivators from their sect met with an Elder of the Eternal Immortal Sect.
They secured passage through Westfall Prefecture and intend to come to our Azure Cloud Prefecture to put down roots.”
“The Elder of the Eternal Immortal Sect opened the gates wide for them and did not intervene.”
Li Xinnian remained expressionless.
As he strolled around, the Old Tree was nowhere to be found within the Li Clan grounds, and not a single elder of the family was present.
In the City of Merit, the Martial Emperor and Zhuo Linlin, who could be seen playing chess by the roadside every day, were gone; only a chessboard remained.
The small tavern and the calligraphy shop nearby had closed their doors, and even at the headquarters of the Hall of Heavenly Principles, there were very few people coming and going.
“The Blue Moon Immortal Sect? They certainly picked a good time.”
Li Xinnian’s expression gradually turned cold and ruthless.
“Do they really think my Li Clan is an empty shell with no one left to defend it?”
At this moment.
The defeat of the Department of Immortal Suppression was a foregone conclusion.
Members of the various major factions were breaking away from the losing battle one after another.
“Where are the reinforcements? Where are our reinforcements?!!”
In the sky above the grasslands, Changsun Buhuo questioned Qi Wunian with a grim expression.
Every single Void Refinement cultivator represented the very foundation of a major power, yet their Changsun Clan had lost a Void Refinement cultivator!
In such a defeat as this, never mind the Divine Corpse—even on the bodies of those Purple Robes and Black Robes from the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems, there was nothing but corpses and more corpses.
Aside from that, they were destitute to the point of rattling.
Faced with this interrogation, Qi Wunian’s face turned pale.
Every clan had suffered losses.
The members of the Eternal Immortal Sect had all lost their lives.
As for the Heavenly Monarch Dao Sanctuary, only Heavenly Lord Jiang survived; it could be said that thirty percent of the sect’s pillars of strength had fallen in this great war.
And the Li family…
“Where are the Sword Venerable and the Corpse Ancestor?” Heavenly Lord Jiang looked around at his routed fellow Daoists.
Although Heavenly Lord Ning An had turned out to be a member of the Grand Tower—causing the Heavenly Lord Dao to lose tremendous face—Jiang still felt a degree of gratitude toward the two men from the Li Clan.
Seeing that Li Dalong and Li Yaozu were nowhere to be found, his expression turned ugly.
“The Sword Venerable and the Corpse Ancestor are still inside the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems. There may be other fellow Daoists still alive as well.”
“Go save them!”
Changsun Buhuo took a deep breath.
She now thoroughly understood: in this great war, they were nothing more than bait used to fish out the Grand Tower.
Despising the Li family within the Department of Immortal Suppression was one thing, but now, if they continued their infighting instead of aiding one another, they would likely be devoured by the Department until nothing remained!
She exchanged a glance with Heavenly Lord Jiang.
In that moment, they both knew it clearly: the members of the Li Clan must survive!
Only the Li Clan shared a close relationship with the Crown Prince and possessed backers such as the Imperial Preceptor, the Grand Preceptor, and even the Fourth Prince.
In the future, only the Li Clan could help them seek justice within the Department of Immortal Suppression.
Glancing at Qi Wunian and seeing his hesitation, Heavenly Lord Jiang’s expression turned cold.
“Hmph! Lord Qi, it was you who led us into the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems.
Everyone knows exactly what kind of scheme your Department of Immortal Suppression is pulling!
The Azure Cloud Li Clan has only these two Void Refinement cultivators.
If they perish in the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems, how will the Li Clan be able to suppress the Ethereal Immortal Sect?
Do you truly intend to watch the Li Clan fall into decline?”
“This…” Qi Wunian’s heart skipped a beat.
Heavenly Lord Jiang’s words were subtle, but he understood the implication clearly: only if the Li Clan survived would there be a turning point for him after disobeying the Commander’s orders. Otherwise, he would truly have to roam the ends of the earth as a fugitive.
Immediately, the group took a deep breath, preparing to head back into the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems.
But just as they stepped forward, their eyes narrowed.
They saw that the Sword Pavilion—the faction with the closest ties to the Li family—had not moved an inch!
Left Sword had lost his life within the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems.
Right Sword’s eyes were vacant; he had clearly lost his will to fight and was kneeling beside Jian Zuo’s corpse.
Meanwhile, Han Shi, his gaze evasive, attempted to step forward but was blocked by the Sword Master, Fang Yunyu.
“Seniors, our Sword Pavilion cannot withstand any further losses.” Fang Yunyu’s expression was one of deep sorrow.
Of the three seniors, one had perished, and another’s Dao Heart had collapsed. As the Sword Master, he could not shirk the blame for this catastrophe.
He spoke bitterly, “The Commander’s reinforcements will be here any moment. My Sword Pavilion cannot take such a risk.”
“Hahaha! Fool!”
Changsun Buhuo let out a loud laugh.
“Fang Yunyu, oh Fang Yunyu.
I said long ago that you and I were the same kind of people—merely chasing profit.
But I was wrong.
You aren’t just greedy; you are stupid!
At a time like this, do you actually still harbor illusions about that scoundrel Wu Neng?”
But even after these words were spoken, Fang Yunyu lowered his head and remained silent.
“Let it be.” Heavenly Lord Jiang shook his head.
“It seems this man truly intends to abandon his fellow Daoists. Since he has already hesitated, I am ashamed to even be associated with him.”
“Let’s go!” Qi Wunian gave a cold snort.
“There is nothing more to say. How the Sword Pavilion acts is their own affair.
If Sword Master Fang wishes to preserve his forces, that is his duty as the Sword Master. No one can blame him.”
Immediately, the group cast cold glances at Fang Yunyu before returning once more into the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems.
Fang Yunyu trembled all over.
He then moved the wounded members and the corpses of the Sword Pavilion onto the Spirit Boat.
As the Spirit Boat departed and the lush green grasslands below drifted further and further away, Fang Yunyu collapsed weakly onto the prow of the boat, muttering to himself.
“I have done enough. The Commander’s intention was to have the entire Li Clan perish in the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems. I did not heed that wish; I have shown enough loyalty.”
“I am not in the wrong. The Li Clan’s Sword Venerable and Corpse Ancestor have likely already lost their lives in the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems.
Why should I risk the lives of my sect elders for the sake of two dead men?”
“Furthermore…”
“If I heed the Commander’s orders, that evidence the Commander holds will not be handed over.
My Sword Pavilion can still be heavily relied upon by the Commander. So what if we became bait?
Once the Department of Immortal Suppression destroys the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems and the Grand Tower, there will surely be a share of the spoils for my Sword Pavilion!”
…
Inside the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems.
Changsun Buhuo and her clan elders, Heavenly Lord Jiang, Qi Wunian, and two Void Refinement cultivators from the Department of Immortal Suppression had once again entered this land of corpse-mountains and seas of blood.
Due to several days of intense battle, everything within the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems was gradually collapsing.
It was evident that in the wake of the defeat, the Purple Robes and Black Robes of the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems were departing the Mountain one after another.
Even White Robe Taotie and that White Robe Huangui had vanished without a trace; they had certainly seized the opportunity to flee.
“Even if they are but corpses, we must return them to the Li Clan!”
Qi Wunian’s expression was grave.
“Li Tianyue of the Li Clan holds the fort among the Wu tribes, commanding an army of three hundred and twenty thousand.
Li Xinnian governs the Azure Cloud Prefecture, suppressing the Wu tribes of the Southern Border.
Li Xinghuo controls the Northern Asura Army and is heavily relied upon by the Grand Tutor.”
“Their clan still wields immense power.
Even if their two Void Refinement cultivators have died, as long as we lend the Li Clan a helping hand, we can borrow their influence.
It is not impossible that we could use this to free ourselves from the clutches of the Department of Immortal Suppression!”
Everyone exchanged glances, their expressions resolute.
But just at that moment, their expressions suddenly changed.
From atop the summit of the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems, violent fluctuations of Spiritual power suddenly erupted, causing the surrounding space to ripple.
“Why is there still someone fighting? Who is it?”
Changsun Buhuo was slightly stunned.
The space ahead suddenly split apart.
A sword shadow burst out, cutting through the distorted void. The man riding it looked haggard and grim, his aura unstable. When he noticed the group below, his face tightened.
“Run!”
He didn’t slow down. His voice carried urgency and fear.
“They’re fighting for real now. That level of power isn’t something we can touch. Retreat quickly—Don’t get dragged in!”
With that, the sword light tore through the air and vanished beyond the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems.
The group looked at each other in dismay.
“Li Yaozu!”
This Li Yaozu was still alive, fleeing in a panic.
Qi Wunian breathed a sigh of relief.
“The Sword Venerable is still alive. It is good that he is still alive…”
Not yet understanding Li Yaozu’s meaning, the group looked toward the place from which Li Yaozu had just fled, using their Spiritual power to gaze into the Void Refinement Space.
In an instant, everyone’s faces turned pale, and they retreated rapidly.
“Flee!”
Inside that Void Refinement Space, a sea of blood churned skyward like molten lava, boiling and endless. A single iron chain coiled above it, moving like a living dragon.
Li Dalong raced along the chain, seals flashing from his hands as incantations rolled from his lips. From the blood sea below, Yin Gods clawed their way out of the Netherworld, screaming as they tore into the battlefield.
The Prefecture Lord’s Seal of Righteous Qi flared. Twin Snakes shot from Li Dalong’s sleeves, transforming into massive pythons that rampaged through the crimson waves.
Within the blood sea, a long spear, a long saber, and an ancient bell erupted with terrifying might. A figure formed of black mist flickered through the chaos, barely visible. Wherever it passed, space itself shattered.
Above them, the Yin-Yang Fish Diagram rotated slowly. The paired fish leapt and circled as if in delight.
And the two of them were locked in a desperate slaughter against He Hao and Zhen Wu!
He Hao had concealed his true strength; his talismans burned madly, generating formation techniques that were violent to the extreme.
Zhen Wu’s nine ancient bronze gates had been thrown wide open.
Both men had reached the absolute limit of the Void Refinement Realm, their strength on par with that of the Huangui.
Yet a single Huangui had been enough to handle the six of them combined!
“Impossible.”
Changsun Buhuo blinked, incredulous.
“How can they be this strong? This… this is the Li Clan?”
Recalling the cold treatment Li Chang’an had faced in the Department of Immortal Suppression over the years, and how he had simply turned a blind eye to it all, Changsun Buhuo felt her scalp go numb.
She seemed to realize it now: Li Chang’an wasn’t being cowardly.
He was…
Disdainful!
—
Donate on Ko-fi ➡️ [] ⬅️
Get Early Access to 90 Chapters: Search for “Dark Tea” on Ko-fi (Explore tab) and join my membership to read ahead!